Illinois Basketball has to lock this player down to beat Kentucky

Illinois basketball won their round of 64 matchup comfortably over the Xavier Musketeers, 86-73. It was a great performance by the young Illini as they executed a perfect game plan compared to an old and experienced Xavier team. The Illini were led by their starters throughout the entire game, and their NBA draft prospects Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis were outstanding. Now, the Illini will take on the three-seed, Kentucky Wildcats, on Sunday evening. The game vs Kentucky will be an offensive battle as both teams are known for their offensive firepower.

If Illinois basketball wants to get to their second straight Sweet 16, they must do whatever they can to lock down Kentucky guard Otega Oweh.

The Head of the snake

In the round of 64, Illinois basketball completely shut down the two best players on Xavier. Ryan Conwell, who had just recently dropped 38 points in the Big East Tournament, was held to 12 points on 3-10 from the field. Zach Freemantle, who averages 17 points per game, had 5 points on 2-9 from the field. The Illini hone in on the team’s best player, and Kylan Boswell is a huge reason behind this.

Oweh averages 16.4 points per game for Kentucky and must be stopped. Looking at his stat lines, when Kentucky loses a game, Oweh has single-digit points. In two losses to Alabama, Oweh had 8 points and 2 points respectively. In their wins, Oweh consistently scores close to 20 points. I fully expect Kylan Boswell to guard Otega Oweh in Sunday’s matchup. Oweh gets to the line very well and gets downhill, Boswell will have to do his best to stay out of early foul trouble so that the junior guard does not get going.

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